Little Confession: I'm only in ninth grade. See, I was thinking to hide behind the cover of the Internet, but then I thought, why blog if it isn't me? See, I can already see adult heads turning away now. "She's a freshman, what does she know?" Well you'd be surprised. So before I start with this weeks food I'd just like to say, I'm not some professional, amazing baker or pastry chef. I'm not some a amazing food photographer, and even though I wan't to be, let's get real, my pictures are sub-par. But I'm hoping I can connect with whoever is out there with nothing more than an equal love for deliciously amazing desserts.
This Sunday I went for some comfort food. Good old chocolate cake from the great blog Tartelette. After something called a med-med line in math, I was stressed. I ran right into the kitch, told my family to move out, and got out the blender. While making this cake I felt like I was doing everything wrong. Yolks got into my whites, I didn't set the oven, you know all the usual mistakes, I made them. But all in all this cake not only filled the house with an amazing aroma it took only an hour and came out tasting and looking great! The cake itself looks very dense and rich, but in actuality it is very light and moist. It was a perfect dessert as well as the perfect snack.

Here's the recipe:Chocolate and Hazelnut Meringue Cake, adapted from Martha Stewart.Makes one 9-inch cakeNotes:- Now is not the time to use the cheap-o chocolate. Get the best quality bittersweet chocolate you can find as it is the star of the recipe. (Guittard, Callebaut, Valrhona, El Rey, Scharffen Berger, etc...)- To toast the hazelnuts, preheat oven to 350F and spread the nuts in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake 10 to 15 minutes until golden brown.- To skin the nuts without driving yourself crazy, place them in a mesh bag (like a recycled orange or lemon bag) and rub the nuts between your hand over the sink. The skins will fall and only the "naked" nuts will remain in your bag.- The cake at room temperature is excellent but served really cold, it becomes even fudgier and the meringue gives slightly under your tooth like a soft pavlova. Brilliant!For the cake:10 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for pan3/4 cup firmly packed light-brown sugar6 large whole eggs, separated12 ounces bittersweet chocolate, melted and cooled1 1/2 tablespoons espresso (or vanilla)1 1/2 tablespoons rum (optional)(not with us!)1/4 teaspoon saltFor the meringue:4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, roughly chopped (1 cup)1 cup hazelnuts (about 4 ounces), toasted and skinned (see notes)and roughly chopped1 tablespoon cornstarch4 large egg whites3/4 cup sugarPrepare the cake:Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9-by-3-inch springform pan. Line bottom with parchment paper. Butter parchment and set aside.In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, whip the butter and brown sugar until pale and smooth at medium speed, about 3 minutes. Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping the bottom and sides of your bowl if necessary. Add the melted chocolate, espresso (or vanilla), rum, if using, and salt. Beat until combined. Transfer to a clean bowl and wash your mixing bowl thoroughly.In a clean mixer bowl fitted the whisk attachment, beat the 6 egg whites on high speed until soft peaks form, about 2 minutes. Fold one-third of the egg whites into chocolate mixture. Fold in remaining egg whites and pour batter into prepared pan, and bake 25 minutes.Prepare the meringue:Combine the chopped chocolate, nuts and cornstarch in a small bowl, and set aside. Place remaining 4 egg whites in a clean mixer bowl fitted with the whisk attachment, beat on high speed until frothy. With the mixer running, slowly add the sugar and continue beating until stiff peaks form, about 8 minutes. Fold in hazelnut mixture.Assemble and Finish:Remove cake from oven. Using a large offset spatula, spread meringue mixture on top of cake using as little strokes as possible not to deflate the meringue, and return to oven. Bake until meringue is lightly browned and crisp, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack; let stand 10 minutes. Run a knife around the edge of the cake to loosen, and release sides of pan. Let cool, about 30 minutes, before slicing and serving.

Enjoy!

Also, I'm hoping to get a thanksgiving post in, but we will se how it goes with the busy holiday.